Emerging in the early 80s from their folk club and ceilidh band days, Oysterband infused both the traditional and their own songs with a passion and energy that was electrifying. Polkas, politics and a heaving dance floor seemed just right for Thatcher’s Britain. Signing to new roots label Cooking Vinyl, headlining English Roots Against Apartheid, playing Glastonbury and the Fleadh several times each, touring with The Pogues in Europe and Billy Bragg in North America, hosting their Big Session Festival in The Midlands. All gained them a large and loyal following both at home and internationally.
Endlessly touring and writing over the course of their 45 year career, the band have played all over the world and released dozens of studio releases throughout their career, including seminal albums like ‘Holy Bandits’ (1993), ‘The Shouting End of Life’ (1995) and ‘Diamonds On The Water’ (2014), not to mention timeless compilations, and unbeatable live albums.
Collaborating with June Tabor in 1990, the meeting of minds produced the cult favourite ‘Freedom & Rain’. Reconnecting some 21 years later, the resultant album ‘Ragged Kingdom’ would become one of the best-selling folk-rock albums of the new millennium.
And Oysterband’s efforts have not gone unnoticed either. Awarded winners of several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including Best Band twice, Oysterband’s song-writing has never stood still, and hits such as “The Oxford Girl”, “When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down)”, “Everywhere I Go” and “Put Out The Lights” are now staples of the folk canon.
Most recently, Oysterband released their final studio album ‘Read The Sky’ to much acclaim in 2021 and recently undertook an extensive tour of Europe, plus a special “Decades” tour across the UK where they explored their back catalogue.
Now, after 45 years on the road, the legendary Canterbury-formed collective will be hanging up their touring boots with a tour aptly named “A Long Long Goodbye”. Planning a year of unmissable shows at some of their favourite haunts of old, they will be performing career-spanning sets, while also revisiting highlights of their work with June Tabor.
In a statement about the upcoming ‘A Long Long Goodbye’ tour, Oysterband said:
“We’re hanging up our travelling shoes, but we’re taking a year or so to say goodbye to our lovely live audience. And we mean to enjoy every minute! It’s been a long, tough, joyful journey, but the time has come. In the words of our own song “Granite Years”, we’re waving you a long, long goodbye… Come help us celebrate!”
Featuring John Jones (vox, melodeon), Ian Telfer (violin, keyboard), Alan Prosser (guitars), Sean Randle (drums, percussion), Al Scott (bass, mandolin) and Adrian Oxaal (cello, guitars); Oysterband will be going out on a high as they bid “A Long Long Goodbye” to fans and friends at these unforgettable live shows.
